Float-operated cock



(No Model.)

L. LIPP.

V I FLOAT OPERATED 000K. N0. 557,840. Patented Apr. 7, 1896.

J I if 5112a! 6 my e6 may UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LOUIS LIPP, OF CINCINNATI, OIIIO.

FLOAT-OPERATED COCK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 557,840, dated April 7, 1896.

Application filed October 18 1895- To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS LIPP, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, Hamilton county, State of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Float-Operated Cocks; and I do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, attention being called to the accompanying drawings, with the reference-numerals marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in float-operated cocks, sometimes called ballcocks, which are devices attached inside of a tank or reservoir, which they automatically supply, their operation being controlled by a float connected to them and which opens the cocks when falling with the lowering level of the decreasing supply and closes the same when the raised level of the supplied water-tank lifts it again. They are extensively used in the flushing-tanks of modern water-closets, which they supply with water from the service-pipes of waterworks systems, and which are usually operated with a pull for the purpose of flushing the closet. lVith many of the constructions at present in use the objection obtains that where the inflowing water is under more or less high pressure the valves vibrate, causing a disagreeable whiz Zing, rattling noise, which not only of itself is objectionable, but also proves injurious to all contacting surfaces, particularly to the packing and valve-seat, where it increases the wear. To overcome this objectionable feature is, therefore, the aim of my invention, which latter, with its operation and parts, is described and claimed in the following specification, while the construction is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a sectional view of a customary flushing-tank for a water-closet, and shows my invention practically applied. Fig. 2 is a top view thereof, and Fig. 3 a front eleva tion of the cock itself with operating-lever detached. Fig. I is a detached detail view showing a modified connection of the spring.

6 is the flushing-tank of customary form and construction.

Serial No. 566,060. (No model.)

7 is a suitable outlet-valve controlling the outflow through pipe 8 to the closet below, being operated from the outside by a lever 9 and a pull 10, accessible from below.

11 is an overflow to guard against any possible emergencies in case any of the parts should refuse to operate properly.

12 is the supply-cock at the upper end of the service-pipe l3, and 14: is the outlet of the same. The cock is connected in position by any of the customary modes known to the plumbing craft. 15 is the valve, seated when closed against the valve-seat 16. The valve is continued upwardly in form of a stem 17, which is operatively connected to the floatlever 18, pivoted at 19, and carries at its free outer end a ball-float 20. As the float descends with the receding water-level, its lever opens the cock to replenish the supply, which, when risen to a certain height, causes the float which it carries with it to act on the cock, closing the same.

The cock described is one of well-known type and its construction does not form any part of my invention, nor does the particular mode of its connection to the float-lever, and my invention is applicable to most forms of cocks at present in use. This connection referred to is obtained in this case by continuing the end of the float-lever into a slot 21 in the valve-stem, which it loosely occupies. It is this loose connection which causes the valve to vibrate under the pressure of the inflowing water and produces the objectionably whizzing and rattling sound. It can be obviated by a tightly-fitting connection,which would operate stiffly, and by counteracting the buoyancy of the float would prevent the latter from acting promptly on the valve. I overcome this objection by providing a spring 22, which is suitably secured and in this case connected with one end to the float-lever 18, and in all positions of the parts acts continually on the valve by bearing with its other end against the upper part or valve-stem thereof. Forming practically a part of the float-lever itself it can in no way hinder the operation of the float. In the present case,

which shows the preferred form of practicing my invention, the free end of spring 22 is passed through an eye-hole 23 in the end of the upwardly-extended valve-stem, whereby it is prevented from becoming displaced during the operation of the float-lever. During these operations it slides to and fro within said eye-hole, never leaving it, however, and exerting in all positions a downward pressure on the valve which takes up all lost motion, particularly between it and the end of the float-lever occupying slot 21. To prevent undue friction or binding during these reciprocatory motions of the spring, that part of the latter which passes through the eye-hole is curved on a line which corresponds with the center of motion of the float-lever. In order to permit the action of the spring to be adjusted to meet the particular pressure in the pipe-system the fixed connection of the former is also made adjustable. This connection in this case is obtained by providing spring 22 with a screw-threaded shank 24, which occupies a threaded hole in an enlargement 25 of the float-lever. It is evident that if the spring is screwed downwardly in said hole its action is intensified, while the reverse is the case when screwed outwardly. For the purpose of such adjustment the floatlever must be disconnected at 19. An additional advantage of this spring is that its action is against the outpouring water, whereby it acts with the valve when closing and tends to hold the same tightly closed against the seat. The effect of this construction is an even and smooth operation of the valve, which is perfectly noiseless and prevents all wear caused by lost motion. This adjustment may also be obtained by having two nuts 26 on the screw-threaded shank of the spring, one above and one below the floatlever, in which case the hole through the enlargement at 25 is not threaded and the spring may be adjusted without disconnecting the lever at 19.

Having described myinvention, I claim as new- 1. In a float-operated cock, the combination with the outwardly-extended stem of the valve and the float-lever operating the latter, of a spring connected to the float-lever and acting endwise on the stem of the valve for the purpose described.

2. Ina float-operated cock, the combination with the outwardly-ex tended stem of the valve and the float-lever operating the latter, of a spring adjustably connected to the fioat-lever and acting endwise on the stem of the valve for the purpose described.

3. In a float-operated cock, the combination with the outwardly-extended stem of the valve being provided with the eye-hole 23 and the float-lever operating the latter, of a spring connected to the float lever and passing through eye-hole 23 of the stem of the valve, for the purpose described.

a. In a float-operated cock, the combination of the outwardly-extended stem of the valve, the float-lever operating it, being enlarged at 25 and provided with a screw-threaded opening thereat and a spring being connected to the float-lever and bearing endwise on the stem of the valve, for the purpose described.

5. In a float-operated cock the combination of the outwardly-extended stem of the valve, being provided with the eyehole 23, the floatlever operating it, being enlarged at 25 and provided with a screw threaded opening thereat and a spring being connected by insertion into the latter and passing through said eye-hole 23, in the stem of the valve for the purpose described.

6. In a float-operated cock the combination of the outwardly-extended stem of the valve being provided with the eye-hole 23, the floatlever operating it, being enlarged at 25 and provided with a screw threaded opening thereat and a spring 22, part of which passes through and occupies said eye-hole, which part is radially curved and having a screwthreaded shank 2i, whereby it is attached to the float-lever, bybeing inserted in the screwthreaded opening of the enlargement 25 thereof.

7. In afloat-operated cock, the combination of the valve-stem, the float-lever having a perforation, a spring secured by one of its ends to the float-lever by a screw connection and bearing with its other end against the valvestem, for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I here unto set my sig nature in presence of two witnesses.

LOUIS LIPP. Witnesses:

O. SPENGEL, ARTHUR KLINE. 

